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Taking a closer look at how the two Tottenham Hotspur full-backs have performed this season.

When Tottenham Hotspur signed Ben Davies from Swansea City last summer it seemed the young Welshman would replace Danny Rose as Spurs’ first-choice left-back.

After all, Tottenham fans had raised concerns regarding Rose’s ability in the back-four and Davies had just come off the back of an impressive campaign at the Liberty Stadium during which he made 41 appearances, including 34 in the Premier League.

But things have not gone according to plan for the 22-year-old in his debut campaign at White Hart Lane, with Rose very much the first-choice option and Davies appearing only 14 times in the league (and 29 times in all competitions).

Clearly Davies has had his chances, but Rose’s form in the last few months has emphatically proved that the older player has the edge for now.

Taking a look at the Tottenham’s duo’s league form this season, Davies had a slightly better passing accuracy – 80 per cent compared with Rose’s 79 per cent – but the latter outshone his teammate when it came to goals scored and assists.

In fact, a quick glance at the statistics above and it is clear why Rose remains Tottenham’s first-choice left-back, with the former Sunderland loanee outdoing Davies in terms of duels, interceptions, tackles, key passes and dribbles per appearance.

Davies still has time on his side, but the way Rose has played in recent weeks it will take an almighty effort from the former to ensure he is anything more than a back-up when both players are fit next season.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. Shortly after, in a somewhat leftfield move, he began working at a secondary school in Kent. After eight years – the last four of which were spent as Head of Sixth Form – he began to write full-time, combining his love of football with his passion for the written word.Alongside his work for HITC Sport, he also writes film reviews for HITC Lifestyle… along with the odd music interview when fate allows.